Whatever medical issue that forced former UFC middleweight contender Nate ‘The Great’ Marquardt out of the UFC on Versus 4 event yesterday, the fighter has apparently known about the issue for the last six weeks.
Greg Sirb, the executive Director for the Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission (PSAC), spoke to MMAWeekly.com on Sunday about the situation. Sirb did not, though, reveal the exact nature of the medical problem as state laws prohibit him from doing so.
He goes on to say that Marquardt was given up to an hour before yesterday’s weigh-ins to resolve the issue but failed to clear things up, and was therefore suspended until he can meet the commissions requirements.
“Nate has known for probably about a month and a half. He knew the situation. It was no surprise. Everybody (including the UFC) knew. Everybody’s known. I think everybody assumed he was going to be able to qualify,” Sirb said.
“We’ve known about it and we gave him every opportunity. The last report we got was three o’clock (Saturday). We gave him as much leeway as we could. Obviously we’ve got a live event, you’ve got to make the call. The UFC made the call when we said no he’s not going to meet it,” Sirb commented.
“Pretty straight forward stuff. He had to meet these requirements and there were no and, if, or buts about it and unfortunately he did not.”
“He didn’t meet the requirements, the medicals anyway. He’s going to be put on suspension. When he meets those requirements, he’ll be taken off. How long the suspension is, is up to him,” Sirb said.
“He needs to show us a new report. If that report comes in and it meets our requirements, it could be tomorrow and we’ll take him off. It could be two months, but it’s an indefinite suspension until he brings in that report we’re looking for.”